Abstract
This paper analyzes several SRAM failures using nano-probing technique. Three SRAM single bit failures with different kinds of Gox breakdown defects analyzed are gross function single bit failure, data retention single bit failure, and special data retention single bit failure. The electrical characteristics of discrete 6T-SRAM cells with soft breakdown are discussed and correlated to evidences obtained from physical analysis. The paper also verifies many previously published simulation data. It utilizes a 6T-SRAM vehicle consisting of a large number of SRAM cells fabricated by deep sub-micron, dual gate, and copper metallization processes. The data obtained from this paper indicates that Gox breakdown location within NMOS pull-down device has larger a impact on SRAM stability than magnitude of gate leakage current, which agrees with previously published simulation data.
